Stamford boys soccer escapes Danbury with a win

Updated 9:12 pm, Thursday, October 5, 2017

DANBURY — The Danbury boys soccer team spent much of the second half squandering prime scoring chances.

Several quality opportunities sailed over the goal and one missed just wide for the Hatters in the second half.

Stamford did not have the same multitude of opportunities as Danbury but were able to make the most of its best chance.

In the end, Stamford (7-2-0) proved why it is among the top teams in the league while Danbury (3-4-3) showed why it has struggled to get above .500 this season.

The Black Knights broke through with the game’s only goal with 5:58 remaining when Ali Essallamy knocked home a bouncing ball after a corner kick by Oleh Senyk.

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That opportunity seized gave the Black Knights the 1-0 win in Danbury Thursday night.

“They had some quality scoring opportunities and we were fortunate they didn’t put them in,” Stamford coach Mario Caminiti said. “We have to give (goal keeper) Alex (Grabar) credit, he has done a great job for us today. Overall it was well done and we played with that high intensity I am looking for. Anytime you can leave Danbury with 3 points, it is a great accomplishment.”

Grabar thwarted Danbury’s best chance not with a save but by rushing out on a 1-vs-1, forcing the shot wide.

With 8:50 left in the game, Danbury’s Joe Mooney got behind the defense with the ball and only Grabar to beat but Grabar’s pressure on Mooney forced the shot to go just wide of the net, keeping it 0-0.

For Danbury, the missed opportunities are how the season has gone thus far.

“This has been our season. We let ourselves down in little tiny moments and it costs us,” Danbury coach Anthony Howard said. “We are struggling to finish, as you’ve seen, and we are letting in cheap, silly goals. That is why we deserve to be where we are right now. I think we have had over 110 shots and we have 10 goals and then against us we let up like 50-60 shots but we conceded 15 goals. It’s terrible.”

PLAYER OF THE GAME

Ali Essallamy, Stamford. Essallamy played strong out of his center defensive back position all night and the former striker made the most of his opportunity on offense, converting the corner kick for a goal.

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“I am always trying to help my team. Since I used to play striker I try to help us score on set pieces even though I am playing center back,” Essallamy said. “This team is always so tough to play. They beat us my sophomore year and we tied them last year. This year we wanted it and no matter what we wanted to take the ‘W.’”

STAYING IN FIRST

The win keeps Stamford atop the FCIAC West standings where it now has 21 points as the season nears the halfway point.